BEREA, Ohio -- Browns center Alex Mack threw up during practice on Thursday and then played Sunday's game against the Titans with what felt like the flu. Little did he know he was playing with appendicitis.

By the time he arrived for work Monday morning, his symptoms were so serious that when doctors discovered the problem they sent him for an immediate appendectomy. Mack underwent the procedure at the Cleveland Clinic around 3 p.m. and everything went well, according to coach Pat Shurmur.

Mack, a 2010 Pro Bowler, will rest through the bye weekend and his availability for the Oakland game Oct. 16 is uncertain.

"He's tough as nails because he was feeling a little queasy during the game, too," said right tackle Tony Pashos. "I was over there last night watching Sunday night football with him and he was talking about some issues then, too, and I was like 'maybe it's just something you ate.'"

Pashos doubts the surgery will keep Mack out of the Oakland game.

"I'm not a doctor, but I know Alex," he said.

Shurmur said if Mack can't play, either John Greco or Steve Vallos would most likely replace him. Shaun Lauvao has also practiced some at center, but would likely stay put at right guard.

Haden, Cribbs updates: An MRI on Monday revealed a sprained knee for cornerback Joe Haden that's not expected to require surgery, Shurmur said. He wore a brace to team meetings on Monday, but Shurmur didn't specify the nature of the sprain or the prognosis.

"We'll just have to see as we move forward how significant it is," Shurmur said. "At this point, I don't know anything. There's a chance he may miss some time, but I don't know that yet. We'll see, being our next game is not for a couple of weeks."

"Yeah, if I have to I can step in," said Skrine. "I played a lot in the preseason, started two games, so if I have to step in and play corner, then I'm ready. It's definitely big shoes to fill because Joe is a real good player, one of the best corners in the NFL right now. Just going in there I want to play technique sound and make as many plays as I can."

Said Patterson: "Last year I started 10 games and I'm very familiar with being a starter, so it's a smooth transition. However they want to use me, wherever I'm needed, I'll be ready. I'll be prepared for it."

Skrine said Haden was his usually high-spirited self Monday. "You know Joe, he's always smiling and all that other good stuff, so it seems like he'll be all right," said Skrine.

Painful hit: Mohamed Massaquoi's ankle came out of Sunday's game fine, but he suffered a sprained shoulder when two defenders converged on him and his helmet popped off. Shurmur said the injury isn't believed to be significant.

Throwing a flag: Shurmur strongly suggested that the pick on Patterson by Titans receiver Damian Williams that prevented Patterson from keeping up with slot receiver Nate Washington on a 57-yard catch was illegal.

"There are rules for those type plays," said Shurmur. He declined to say whether he'll send a tape to the league office, but you can bet he already has.

Patterson was less diplomatic.

"Oh, no doubt about it -- it was blatant," he said. "But like I said, they're going to miss calls. Referees miss calls every game, every sport, so you can't really go into a game trying to point the finger at the ref. You've got to continue to play, and play through those times."

Explaining less of Moore: Shurmur defended his decision to use tight end Evan Moore 20 snaps on Sunday. He was targeted twice and caught one pass.

"We had a package where we had three tight ends, one receiver and one back which we used a handful of times," said Shurmur. "And Evan shows up quite a bit in the red zone. We got in there one time yesterday. That contributes also. The game situations dictate [playing time]."

Montario's mishaps: Shurmur said Montario Hardesty's four drops on short passes are correctable.

"Sometimes when you catch those checkdowns, your tendency is to run before you catch it," he said. "That's what he was doing."

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